Cyrus Monk (VIC – Drapac EF Holistic Development Team) has won the U23 Road Race in the 2018 FedUni Road Nats this morning in scorching conditions with Armidale’s Sam Jenner (NSW – Mitchelton-BikeExchange) finishing a credible 12th having been an active member of a mid-race chase involving Inverell’s Dylan Sunderland (NSW – Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervelo). The race distance had been shortened to 92.8 kilometres as a result of extreme heat and high fire risk which ensured the peloton was aggressive right from the start.

Jenner had work to do at the end of lap 5 with a dozen riders in three separate groups strung out up the road including Sunderland at 49s. Jenner was well placed in a large bunch that included eventual winner Monk, sitting at 1m:22s. A very rapid sixth lap, with an average speed of 40kph, resulted in those gaps being closed right down and Monk was now sitting third at 29s with Jenner now in a group of 14 riders including MBE teammate Callum Scotson.

Jenner looked to be well-positioned at the start of the last lap, leading a group of 10 riders over the line at the bell and just 11s behind the lead pair, still with Scotson and Sunderland for company. Ultimately Monk got away and stayed away, with a fine solo win of 26s, reminiscent of Jenner’s own victory in 2017, ahead of a three-way battle for silver that Sunderland just missed out on, finishing fourth. Jenner finished 12th overall, crossing the line in a bunch of 8 at 39s to top off a very successful 2018 Nationals.

It has been great to see all the Armidale and Inverell riders racing so strongly at the Nationals this last week with incredible results. Congratulations Sam Jenner, Sam Munday, Dylan Sunderland, Zak Sunderland, Callum Dolby and Ryan Thomas.